Erik Soler was officially unveiled as Red Bull New York’s sporting director today, and the former IK Start owner touched on a number of topics at the team’s headquarters, including the search for a coach and a Designated Player, taking over a last-place team and the difficulties of being a foreigner unfamiliar with MLS.

“People keep on telling me it’s difficult. Difficult is not dangerous to me; it’s difficult. I respect that,” said Soler, attracted to the idea of a last-place team in a huge market with a new stadium and vast potential. “There are a lot of things I have to do; I have to look at my situation and this club’s future. I can’t dwell on things that have gone on in the past.”

Soler said the club hopes to add an offensive-minded Designated Player this season, but has no timeframe for a coach. He insisted he wasn’t wed to the idea of hiring a coach with MLS experience, but said he understands the importance of the staff — front-office and coaching — having familiarity with the league, and that interim coach Richie Williams is very much a candidate for the permanent gig.

“I look upon the whole thing as teamwork. We’re gonna have a number of coaches we have to have the right balance, if that includes a U.S. coach or foreign coach I wouldn’t say, but we need a strong team that understands (MLS),” said Soler, who is fully aware that no coach lacking U.S. experience has ever won MLS Cup.

“It’s an important point. But people would never do anything new if they always did what people have already done,” said Soler, who described the profile of what he’s looking for in a coach — an experienced, hands-on teacher who can build the players he has, not just buy new ones.

“I’m looking for somebody with experience. We need somebody who’s on the pitch a lot. Looking at the Scandinavian model — where if your left back isn’t top-class, you can’t just buy two new ones — we need somebody who will work on developing players .”

While he did mention that Williams — who he met 10 years ago when Norway played the U.S. in Tampa — is a candidate. He also said that he hoped Williams would be on the staff, although wasn’t sure if that would be as head coach. He wouldn’t confirm or deny whether ex-Portsmouth manager Tony Adams — who is good friends with Red Bull target Thierry Henry — is a candidate.

As far as having management familiar with MLS, Soler — who brought both Hunter Freeman and Clarence Goodson to IK Start — said he plans to build a front office that could support a head coach unfamiliar with MLS.

He also has the clout and willingness to add positions where needed, and didn’t find it odd or awkward that the Jeff Agoos —_ the man largely responsible for the Red Bulls’ last-place finish — has been demoted and could not only be working under him but be the person he’s forced to lean on to walk him through MLS rules.

“I have no problem with that at all. I have one thing in mind trying to do what is best for the club,” said Soler, who had also been a successful player agent, with offices in a dozen countries and had employed Lyle Yorks, who is one of the five biggest agents in MLS. That should provide him a great bridge into the league.

Soler sold his agency, ISM, to Proactive in 2002.

I was somewhat skeptical of hiring a foreign sporting director with no MLS experience, but I have to say he’s a pretty sharp cat. There may be a lot he doesn’t know about the league, but I’ll bet he learns pretty quickly. Besides, smarter businessman than I have told me a good exec doesn’t have the answers, but he knows what questions to ask, and who to get the answers from.

Now if those answers are all coming from Agoos and a foreign coach with no MLS background — like Adams — I’d have my concerns. But we shall see. What do you think of Soler? Give us your feedback below….